Three nights after one of their worst losses of the 2022-23 NBA season (a largely uncompetitive loss at San Antonio in a battle for last place in the Western Conference), the Houston Rockets responded with arguably their best performance in Sunday’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks, widely viewed as a legitimate title contender.
What changed? Sure, there were emotions involved. The Rockets were admittedly playing on behalf of head coach Stephen Silas, who missed Sunday’s game after the death of his father, renowned NBA lifer Paul Silas, earlier that day. Veteran coach John Lucas, normally Houston’s lead assistant, filled in as acting head coach.
But beyond the Silas angle, and prior to Silas temporarily leaving the team, the team apparently had a breakthrough at practice.
Lucas elaborated in his postgame remarks:
That’s a good win, for us. We had a really good day of practice, the other day. We talked about accountability, being professional, and starting to grow up. We’ve got to stop hiding behind being young. We’re better than young.
Houston (8-18) has won four straight home games at Toyota Center and is 5-4 in its last nine games, overall. Milwaukee (19-7) lost for just the second time in its previous nine outings.
Jalen Green did the heavy lifting on offense with a game-high 30 points on strong efficiency, but Lucas was more excited to talk about the second-year guard’s defense, which he called impeccable in Sunday’s win. Lucas and Houston’s team leaders were also excited to talk about the defensive contributions of rookie forward Jabari Smith Jr., who helped limit two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo to 16 points (tying a season-low) on 7-of-17 shooting (41.2%).
“That’s a big assignment, especially for a rookie,” said Kevin Porter Jr., who had 18 points (50% FG) and a team-high 7 assists for the Rockets.
“But we trusted Jabari, and he handled it well,” Porter added. “That was a near-perfect game for Jabari.”
“Jabari Smith’s defense was unbelievable,” Lucas surmised. “It was the defensive end that won it.”
Antetokounmpo had scored 28 or more points on at least 50% shooting in each of his previous nine games for the Bucks.
KPJ on Jabari Smith Jr. defending Giannis:
“That’s a big assignment, especially for a rookie. But we trusted Jabari, and he handled it well.”
“That was a near-perfect game for Jabari.” #Rockets pic.twitter.com/Wt8UhAgIJv
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) December 12, 2022
Smith, who had a team-high 10 rebounds and 3 steals, let out a primal roar after securing a critical rebound in the closing seconds, which was followed by swishing two free throws to secure the final 97-92 margin. In postgame comments, he elaborated on what it was for.
“When we can come together and show that we’re growing and going in the right direction, it’s always good to let out some emotion,” Smith said. “Cause we’re working. Whether people see it or not, we are.”
Jabari Smith Jr. on his emotions after securing last rebound and clinching FTs:
“When we can come together and show that we’re growing and going in the right direction, it’s always good to let out some emotion. Cause we’re working. Whether people see it or not, we are.” #Rockets pic.twitter.com/N2hcEjvzkL
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) December 12, 2022
He's called the Locksmith for a reason 😤
📊 3 STL 1 BLK 10 REB pic.twitter.com/2ybGiPY8d4
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) December 12, 2022
